Petitioners say they are not opposing the Central Vista project, but seek retention of the historic mosque or a nearby alternative prayer space to ensure continuity of worship under Article 25.
The Delhi High Court on September 17, 2026, issued notice on a writ petition filed by Qadeemi Masjid through its caretaking committee, challenging any demolition, dismantling or disturbance of the mosque without what it called a fair, transparent and reasoned consideration of its continued retention.
The petition concerns the Qadeemi Masjid, located within the compound of Krishi Bhavan in New Delhi, which is part of the broader Central Vista redevelopment. Appearing for the petitioners, senior advocate Salman Khurshid clarified that the plea was not intended to stall or delay the redevelopment of Krishi Bhavan, Shastri Bhavan or the Common Secretariat buildings. Instead, the petitioners sought protection of the mosque’s prayer facility, which they said has been used for decades by government employees and others working in nearby offices.
According to the petition, Qadeemi Masjid is a structure of considerable antiquity and has existed for more than a century. The petitioners claimed that historical records dating back to 1945 document its existence and that the Delhi Waqf Board notified the property as waqf property in 1970. They further submitted that even after Krishi Bhavan, Shastri Bhavan and surrounding government offices were built in the 1950s and 1960s, the mosque continued to function as a place of prayer for Muslim employees.
The petitioners said they are aware that the land beneath the mosque belongs to the government, but their immediate concern is the effect of the ongoing redevelopment, which has already commenced and may involve dismantling the existing complex. They argued that under Article 25 of the Constitution, they are entitled to a reasonable and proximate arrangement to ensure continuity of prayer. In the alternative, they sought a direction that if retention of the existing mosque is genuinely impossible, the authorities must provide an adequate and nearby alternative prayer facility.
The Court recorded the petitioners’ statement that they have no objection to the Central Vista Redevelopment Project itself and are not seeking suspension of construction. The matter was taken up by Justice Anish Dayal, who issued notice to the Union of India, the New Delhi Municipal Council and the Delhi Waqf Board.
The notice was accepted by counsel appearing for the respondents, and the Additional Solicitor General informed the Court that instructions would be taken and a response/status report would be filed. The Court granted four weeks to the respondents to file their response, with an advance copy to the petitioner’s counsel, and listed the matter for hearing on November 2, 2026.
The order reflects the Court’s preliminary consideration of a sensitive dispute balancing redevelopment of a major government precinct with claims to preservation of a historic religious structure and the right to continued access to worship.
Bottom Line :
Writ petition concerning redevelopment of Krishi Bhavan/Shastri Bhavan site - Petitioners did not seek to stall Central Vista redevelopment but sought fair consideration for retention of Qadeemi Masjid or, alternatively, a reasonable, proximate and adequate alternative prayer facility to ensure continuity of prayers under Article 25.
Statutory provision(s): Article 25, Constitution of India, 1950
